ST. GEORGE, Utah – Playing their first official game of the season, the Westminster men's basketball team lost to Western Oregon, 65-58, on Friday evening in the opening game of the Dixie State/Wyndham Thanksgiving Classic.
 
Westminster (0-1) shot 45.5 percent in the first half and led 31-27 at intermission. They had the lead at its largest of the night, 31-23, with 2:30 left in the half before Western Oregon (3-2) scored the final four points of the half.
 
After the Griffins saw a 37-30 lead disappear with seven straight points from the Wolves in the second half, the teams would trade baskets to see it level at 41-41 with 12:23 remaining. WOU answered with a 10-3 run to open a seven-point advantage they never relinquished.
 
The Griffins got back within 53-51 at the 3:28 mark, but Western Oregon responded with an 8-1 burst to secure the victory.
 
Westminster made just 8 of 22 from the field in the second half and finished the game shooting 40.9 percent. They committed 21 turnovers which results in 18 points for the Wolves. Western Oregon finished the game at 35.9 percent shooting after making only 25 percent in the first half.
 
Zerrion Payton led three Griffins in double figures with 16 points. He only made three baskets, but hot 10 of 12 at the foul line and had three assists and two steals. Marcus Bryce had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Dayon Goodman scored 10 points.
 
Western Oregon finished with 17 assists and only 11 turnovers. Tanner Omlid led the team with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The Griffins will return to action on Saturday when they face Sonoma State at 5 p.m. MST. Live video and stats of the game are available at WestminsterGriffins.com/live.